Herringbone vs chevron: A and B boxes, waste and plank sizes
By Michał Białas · Last updated
Herringbone and chevron planks are left- and right-handed, sold as A and B, and you need the same number of each — so count each side and round it to whole boxes separately. Add 15% waste for either pattern, and 5% more in rooms under 43 sq ft (4 m²).
A and B planks explained
In a herringbone floor every plank meets the next one at a right angle, alternating left and right. With click flooring the tongue and groove must face the right way on each side, so makers produce two mirror-image planks: A and B. They are often packed in separate boxes. A single total for the whole floor can leave you with the right number of boxes but the wrong mix — one side runs out while boxes of the other side are left over.
- A and B in separate boxes: count half the planks for each side and round each side up to whole boxes.
- A and B mixed in each box: round to whole boxes, with an even plank count.
- One plank type, no A/B: common with glue-down wood blocks, which have tongue and groove on both ends.
Herringbone vs chevron
| Herringbone | Chevron | |
|---|---|---|
| Plank ends | Square, cut at 90° | Cut at an angle, usually 45° or 30° |
| Pattern | Staggered zigzag, planks overlap | Continuous V, ends meet in a straight line |
| Typical sizes | 24 × 4 3/4 in, 600 × 120 mm, 720 × 120 mm | Similar, measured along the long edge |
| Waste | About 15% | About 15% |
| A and B | Usually | Always |
For chevron, the plank length is the long edge and the face area is the long edge times the width — the angled ends cancel out across the floor. When the box states its coverage, use that instead.
How many boxes
- Room area ÷ face area of one plank = planks needed.
- Add pattern waste: 15%, plus 5% in a small room.
- Split the total in half: that many A planks and that many B planks, rounded up.
- Round each side to whole boxes.
The herringbone flooring calculator shows A and B as two lines on the shopping list, each with its own formula, and adds the underlayment, barrier and baseboards for the room.
Example 1 (feet): 15 × 12 ft, 24 × 4 3/4 in vinyl, 24 per box
- Area 180 sq ft; one plank is 0.792 sq ft. Net 180 ÷ 0.7917 = 227.4 planks; with 15% → 262 planks.
- 131 A + 131 B → 131 ÷ 24 → 6 boxes of A and 6 boxes of B = 12 boxes.
- A single total would say 262 ÷ 24 → 11 boxes: split 6 A + 5 B, the B side is 11 planks short (120 against 131).
Example 2 (meters): 4.5 × 3.6 m, 600 × 120 mm laminate, 24 per pack
- Area 16.2 m²; one plank is 0.072 m². Net 16.2 ÷ 0.072 = 225 planks; with 15% → 258.8.
- Half for each side: 130 A + 130 B → 6 packs of A and 6 packs of B = 12 packs.
- A single total of 259 planks → 11 packs: split 6 A + 5 B, the B side is 10 planks short.
Waste for herringbone
Every plank along a wall is cut at an angle, and in a herringbone pattern the cuts are on two sides of each zigzag, so 15% is the usual allowance for both patterns. Small rooms have more wall per square foot and therefore more cuts: below 43 sq ft (4 m²) add another 5%. A diagonal layout or many doorways can justify more, and offcuts from one side cannot replace planks of the other. Keep the left-over boxes of both sides: a damaged plank can only be replaced with one of the same hand, from the same batch.
Dry-lay the first few rows from a center line before you start gluing or clicking: herringbone has to run straight down the middle of the room, and a small error at the start grows with every row.
Herringbone tile
Tile has no hand, so herringbone tile is counted as one total, with about 18% waste. Use the tile calculator with the herringbone pattern; the thinset and grout come from the same area as for a straight layout.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Result |
|---|---|
| Rounding one total to boxes | One side runs short while boxes of the other are left |
| Straight-lay waste (7%) | Several planks short in the last rows |
| Mixing batches of A and B | Visible color differences between the two sides |
| Starting from a wall | A pattern that drifts off the room’s center line |
Small rooms need more extra for the same reason tile does — see how much extra tile to buy.
Frequently asked questions
Why do herringbone planks come in A and B boxes?
The click joints of a herringbone plank only work one way, so left and right planks are made as mirror images, A and B. You need the same number of each.
How much extra herringbone flooring should I buy?
About 15% for herringbone or chevron, and 20% in a room under 43 sq ft (4 m²). Then round each side to whole boxes.
What is the difference between herringbone and chevron?
Herringbone planks have square ends and overlap in a staggered zigzag; chevron planks have angled ends that meet in a continuous V.
Can I use straight-plank underlayment under herringbone?
Usually yes, if the plank maker approves it. The underlayment area is the same as for a straight layout.